Golf club fixture

ABSTRACT

A device for measuring alignment of a golf club is provided, and allows measurement of the lie angle and loft angle simultaneously. The strike face of the club is placed against an abutment member that is fixed to a base member, and held in place with a clamping member. An alignment member is coupled to the base member and spaced from the clamping member in generally opposing relation thereto. The alignment member is movable with respect to the clamping member to receive the golf club shaft in a cradle.

FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] The present invention is generally related to golf clubs. Inparticular, the present invention is related to a device to determineand adjust the loft angle and lie angle of a golf club.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Technological innovations and a greater understanding of golfswing dynamics have allowed golf club manufacturers to provide asignificant level of customization to match golf clubs to a particulargolfer according to the golfer's height and preferred stance. Variousgolf club design parameters may be customized, such as an adjustment ofthe angular relationship of the golf club head with respect to the shaftand the ground. Such a customization is useful, for example, becausewhen two golfers with dissimilar heights address a golf ball using thesame club, the angle formed by the shaft of the club with respect to theground will invariably be different for each golfer. Similarly,depending on the golfer's stance and playing characteristics, the angleformed by the club face of the golf club will also vary among golfers.Thus, to improve a golfer's performance with a particular club, theseare two parameters of the club regarding the relative position of thegolf club head to the shaft that are often customized to fit the golfer.

[0003] Referring now to FIG. 1, a pair of lines 20, 22 represent theplane of the ground. The first example stated above concerns the golfclub's lie angle, which is defined as the angle, a, formed between acenter line 24 extending through the shaft with the ground line 20 asshown tangent to the sole at the centerline of the club face. Toaccurately obtained the lie angle α of the golf club, the sole of theclub head should be resting at the point just below the center of theclub face. Proper lie angle is important to ensure that the golf clubmakes a square contact with the ball during the execution of a swing.For example, if the lie is less than ideal, the sole of the golf clubwill most likely be upwardly angled when the club head impacts the ball.As a result, the face of the club head will be aimed to the left of themedial line of the fairway, resulting in a left-of-center flight path.On the other hand, if the lie is greater than ideal, the club's solewill likely be downwardly angled at the point of impact and the oppositeeffect will be obtained.

[0004] The other parameter of the golf club head relative to the shaftis the loft angle, shown as β in FIG. 1. The loft angle β is generallydefined as the angle of the backward slant of the face of a golf clubhead. More particularly, the loft angle β is the angle formed by a line26 perpendicular to the club face to the ground line 22. The greater theloft angle, the greater the loft of ball after being struck by the golfclub.

[0005] The measurements of the loft angle, for example, may not beindicative of the performance of the club when used by a particulargolfer because the physiological and swing characteristics of the golfercan effect the resultant flight of the ball. Accordingly, in providing amore customized set of clubs for a particular golfer, the loft angle isoften personalized to meet the particular physical traits and abilitiesof the individual golfer.

[0006] Moreover, as golfers rely on a golf club having a particular loftand lie angle to perform in a particular fashion, any variation based onuse or manufacturing tolerance may be quite undesirable, especially forgolfers playing at the professional level. Thus, minor adjustments tothe loft and lie are often made to the golf clubs used by professionalgolfers. Such adjustments are typically required at tournaments, ontour, or at various locations remote from manufacturers. Accordingly,there is a need for a golf club adjustment device that is compact andtransportable, while easy to use.

[0007] In addition, due to the mass production of golf clubs, finetuning of each golf club by adjusting the loft and lie of the club isoften desirable before the clubs are ready for shipment. Thus,manufacturers often make final adjusts to the loft and lie of the clubsafter assembly of the club. Such an operation is highly labor intensiveand there is a need for a device that permits adjustments to be madequickly and simply.

[0008] Finally, technological innovations have allowed manufacturers toproduce golf clubs having various configurations that are designed tomeet different performance criteria. Thus, there is a need for a devicefor measuring and adjusting the loft and lie of a golf club should beconfigured and adaptable to receive and securely hold golf clubs havingvaried club head configurations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The present invention is directed to a device for measuringalignment of a golf club with a shaft and a head having a strike faceand a back face. The golf club may be a putter. The device includes abase member and an abutment member fixed to the base member for abuttingthe strike face. The device further includes at least one clampingmember for abutting the back face, with the at least one clamping memberbeing disposed on the base member and spaced from the abutment member tofix the golf club head in a first direction between the at least oneclamping member and the abutment member. The device also includes analignment member coupled to the base member and spaced from the at leastone clamping member in generally opposing relation thereto, with thealignment member being movable with respect to the clamping member toreceive the golf club shaft in a second direction. The positioning ofthe alignment member simultaneously indicates the loft angle and lieangle of the golf club.

[0010] In one embodiment, the alignment member is slidably and pivotablymounted, and includes a first indicator for indicating lie and a secondindicator for indicating loft. The indicator includes a fixed scale anda movable needle, with the needle being coupled to a cradle forreceiving said shaft. The second indicator comprises a movable scale anda fixed needle. The base member may further include at least twoleveling bearings for abutting a sole of the head. The alignment memberis slidable in a direction generally transverse to the clamping memberand pivotable in a direction generally parallel to the clamping member.In addition, the alignment member is slidable in a direction generallyparallel to the clamping member.

[0011] An adjusting bar may also be provided and includes twoprotrusions, with the protrusions defining a slot therebetween toreceive and contour the shaft. According to one aspect of the invention,each of the protrusions is a wheel rotatably secured to the adjustingbar and having a diameter greater than about 0.1 inches, but less thanabout 0.25 inches. In one embodiment, the diameter is about ⅜ inch,while the slot is between about 1 to 4 inches, and can be about 2.5inches.

[0012] The present invention is also directed to a fixture for retaininga golf club with a shaft and a head having a strike face. The fixtureincludes a base plate having a top surface, a reference surface fixed tothe base plate, and a clamp assembly coupled to the base plate in spacedrelation and generally perpendicular to the reference surface. Acarriage is coupled to the base, and a measurement member is disposed ina plane generally perpendicular to the top surface. The measurementmember is coupled to the carriage in spaced and opposing relation to theclamp assembly, with the measurement member including a cradle that isrotatably coupled to the measurement member and movable with respect tothe clamp assembly to receive the golf club shaft. Retention of the clubbetween the reference surface and the clamp assembly with the strikeface abutting the reference surface permits the measurement member tosimultaneously indicate a loft angle and a lie angle of the golf club.The measurement member is pivotably coupled to the carriage in a planegenerally perpendicular to the top surface, while the carriage ismovable in a direction generally transverse to the clamp assembly and ina direction generally parallel to the clamp assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Preferred features of the present invention are disclosed in theaccompanying drawings, wherein similar reference characters denotesimilar elements throughout the several views, and wherein:

[0014]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a golf club showing the club loftand lie angles;

[0015]FIG. 2 is a right side, perspective view of a fixture according tothe present invention with a putter shown therewith;

[0016]FIG. 3 is a left side, perspective view of the fixture of FIG. 2;

[0017]FIG. 4 is a rear, perspective view of the fixture of FIG. 2;

[0018]FIG. 5 is a front view of the fixture of FIG. 2;

[0019]FIG. 6 is a back view of the fixture of FIG. 2;

[0020]FIG. 7 is a left side view of the fixture of FIG. 2;

[0021]FIG. 8 is a right side view of the fixture of FIG. 2;

[0022]FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional view of a leveling bearing ofthe fixture of FIG. 2; and

[0023]FIG. 10 is an adjusting bar according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0024] Referring to FIGS. 2-10, a device for fixing golf clubs is shown.As shown in particular in FIG. 2, golf club fixture 30 includes a basemember 32 and handles 34, 36 so that fixture 30 may be easilytransported to various locations. If desired, various clamping devices,such as C-clamps, may be placed about the periphery of base member 32 tosecure fixture 30 to a working surface. An abutment 38 is disposed onbase member 32 perpendicular to top surface 40 for anchoring a club headin a predetermined position on fixture 30. The strike face of a golfclub, preferably a putter 41, is placed against surface 42. While use offixture 30 is described herein with reference to a putter 41, othergeometries of clubs are contemplated for use with the present invention.In the case of a putter with a face having an upper straight edge 45that is parallel to the sole 46, the straight edge is preferably alignedparallel to leading edge 44 of abutment 38, which is also parallel totop surface 40. The sole 46 of putter 41 rests on a pair of levelingbearings 48, 50, as will be described shortly.

[0025] A clamping member 52 is pivotably mounted about a pin 54 retainedbetween opposing supports 56, 58. Clamping member 52 includes a forwardportion 60 with a resilient front 62. Preferably, resilient front 62 isformed of a slightly deformable rubber or other polymer that can becompressed upon contact with the back face of putter 41. During use offixture 30, clamping member 52 is pivoted about pin 54 such that theleading face 64 of clamping member 52 is generally parallel to surface42 and the central alignment axis 66 of clamping member 52 is generallyperpendicular to surface 42. A clamping screw 66 is threadbly associatedwith a hole 68 in block 70, and clamping screw 66 may be used to exert aforce against back face 72 of clamping member 52 so that the strike faceof putter 41 is firmly held against surface 42 of abutment 38. Tofacilitate turning of clamping screw 66, a hex head 74 or other means,such as a lever, may be provided.

[0026] An alignment member 76 is coupled to base member 32, and includesa carriage portion 78 for generally aligning the alignment member 76with respect to putter 41. In the preferred embodiment, carriage portion78 includes first and second rails 80, 82, respectively, and theirassociated rigs 84, 86. First rail 80 slides on rig 84, which isoriented substantially parallel to surface 42 of abutment 38. Secondrail 82 slides on rig 86, which is oriented substantially perpendicularto surface 42. Thus, alignment member 76 may be positioned along topsurface 40 of base member 32. Alignment member 76 includes a post 88that is pivotably mounted to a block 90 for movement in a planeperpendicular to surface 42.

[0027] A lie angle indicator 91 and a loft angle indicator 92 areprovided, and in the preferred embodiment are disposed perpendicular toeach other. Lie angle indicator 91 includes a scale portion 94, whichpreferably has calibrated indicia for displaying changes in angularincrements. Scale 94 is fixed with respect to post 88. A cradle 96 ispivotably mounted about a pin 98 (for left/right motion), and includesan upper, needle portion 100. Loft angle indicator 92 includes a scaleportion 102, also including calibrated angular indicia, and scaleportion 102 is fixed with respect to post 88 (for front/back motion).Surfaces 104, 106 of indicators 91, 92, respectively, are perpendicularto each other. Loft angle indicator 92 also includes a needle portion108, which is fixed to rig 86. Cradle 96 may be provided with one ormore grooved regions 99, shown for example in FIG. 3, for accommodatingthe shaft of the club as will be explained. In one embodiment, threeparallel grooves are provided to particularly accommodate left-handed(right side of cradle), right-handed (left side of cradle), andneutrally disposed shafts.

[0028] During use of fixture 30, a putter 41 is locked in place againstsurface 42 of abutment 38 so that the strike face of the putter abutssurface 42. Alignment member 76 is positioned with carriage portion 78and pivoted with respect to block 90, and cradle 96 is pivoted about pin98, so that the shaft 110 of putter 41 rests within and against cradle96, which is centrally aligned with respect to needle 100. Because hoselportion 112 of putter 41 is milled at a 90° angle with respect to thesole 46, true readings of the loft and lie of the club may be obtainedusing fixture 30. With shaft 110 abutting cradle 96, which has beenpivoted to receive shaft 110 concurrently with the pivoting of needle100, the lie angle may be read from calibrated and preset scale portion94, as indicated by needle 100. Likewise, in this position with shaft110 resting in cradle 96, post 88 is pivoted and the loft angle may beread from calibrated and preset scale portion 102, as indicated byneedle 108.

[0029] With reference to FIG. 9, leveling bearings 48, 50 include aspherical ball 120 disposed on a post 122, and a cap 124 disposed onball 120. A mechanical interlock 126 prevents removal of cap 124 fromball 120. When a putter sole 46 rests on upper surface 128 of a bearing48, 50, the cap 124 swivels on ball 120. This motion permits thesquaring of the putter strike face while accommodating variations in thegeometry of sole 46, thereby allowing sole 46 to be supported over agreater surface area.

[0030] Turning to FIG. 10, an adjusting bar 130 is provided for bendingthe shaft 110 of putter 41 so that desired lie angle can be achieved. Ifmeasurement of the lie angle using fixture 30 indicates that anundesired lie angle is set for putter 41, adjusting bar 130 may be usedto change the lie angle, which may then be verified using fixture 30.Adjusting bar 130 includes a bar 132 with two protrusions 134, 136disposed thereon. The protrusions define a slot 138 therebetween, whichreceives a putter shaft for contouring to the desired lie angle.Preferably, each of the protrusions is a wheel that is rotatably securedto bar 132 and have a diameter greater than about 0.1 inches and lessthan about 0.25 inches. More preferably, the diameter of protrusions134, 136 is about ⅜ inch. In the preferred embodiment, slot 138 isbetween about 1 to 4 inches, and more preferably about 2.5 inches.Typically, shaft 110 is held to the head of putter 41 with epoxy.Protrusions 134, 136 are radiused to match the diameter of shaft 110.Thus, during bending of shaft 110, the creation of stress points due tothe bending motion can be minimized. Preferably bar 132 is sufficientlylong to provide leverage for a user, and may be about 24 inches inoverall length.

[0031] While various descriptions of the present invention are describedabove, it should be understood that the various features can be usedsingly or in any combination thereof. Therefore, this invention is notto be limited to only the specifically preferred embodiments depictedherein.

[0032] Further, it should be understood that variations andmodifications within the spirit and scope of the invention may occur tothose skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. For example,digital readouts of the scales may be provided using electronic sensors,instead of scales with mechanical needles. Accordingly, all expedientmodifications readily attainable by one versed in the art from thedisclosure set forth herein that are within the scope and spirit of thepresent invention are to be included as further embodiments of thepresent invention. The scope of the present invention is accordinglydefined as set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device for measuring alignment of a golf clubwith a shaft and a head having a strike face and a back face, saiddevice comprising: a. a base member; b. an abutment member fixed to saidbase member for abutting said strike face; c. at least one clampingmember for abutting said back face, said at least one clamping memberbeing disposed on said base member and spaced from said abutment memberto fix said golf club head in a first direction between said at leastone clamping member and said abutment member; d. an alignment membercoupled to said base member and spaced from said at least one clampingmember in generally opposing relation thereto, said alignment memberbeing movable with respect to said clamping member to receive said golfclub shaft in a second direction, wherein the positioning of saidalignment member simultaneously indicates the loft angle and lie angleof the golf club.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein said alignmentmember is slidably and pivotably mounted.
 3. The device of claim 2,wherein said alignment member comprises a first indicator for indicatinglie and a second indicator for indicating loft.
 4. The device of claim3, wherein said first indicator comprises a fixed scale and a movableneedle, said needle being coupled to a cradle for receiving said shaft.5. The device of claim 4, wherein said second indicator comprises amovable scale and a fixed needle.
 6. The device of claim 6, wherein saidbase member further comprises at least two leveling bearings forabutting a sole of said head.
 7. The device of claim 2, wherein saidalignment member is slidable in a direction generally transverse to saidclamping member and pivotable in a direction generally parallel to saidclamping member.
 8. The device of claim 7, wherein said alignment memberis slidable in a direction generally parallel to said clamping member.9. The device of claim 1, further comprising an adjusting bar having twoprotrusions, said protrusions defining a slot therebetween to receiveand contour said shaft.
 10. The device of claim 9, wherein each of saidprotrusions is a wheel rotatably secured to said adjusting bar andhaving a diameter greater than about 0.1 inches.
 11. The device of claim10, wherein said diameter is less than about 0.25 inches.
 12. The deviceof claim 11, wherein said diameter is about ⅜ inch.
 13. The device ofclaim 12, wherein said slot is between about 1 to 4 inches.
 14. Thedevice of claim 13, wherein said slot is about 2.5 inches.
 15. Thedevice of claim 14, wherein said golf club is a putter.
 16. A fixturefor retaining a golf club with a shaft and a head having a strike face,comprising: a base plate having a top surface; a reference surface fixedto said base plate; a clamp assembly coupled to said base plate inspaced relation and generally perpendicular to said reference surface; acarriage coupled to said base; a measurement member disposed in a planegenerally perpendicular to said top surface, said measurement membercoupled to said carriage in spaced and opposing relation to said clampassembly, said measurement member comprising a cradle being rotatablycoupled to said measurement member and movable with respect to saidclamp assembly to receive said golf club shaft, wherein retention ofsaid club between said reference surface and said clamp assembly withsaid strike face abutting said reference surface permits saidmeasurement member to simultaneously indicate a loft angle and a lieangle of the golf club.
 17. The fixture of claim 16, wherein saidmeasurement member is pivotably coupled to said carriage in a planegenerally perpendicular to said top surface.
 18. The fixture of claim17, wherein said carriage is movable in a direction generally transverseto said clamp assembly and in a direction generally parallel to saidclamp assembly.